Dawn Renton

Final statistics for 2014 have confirmed the provisional data which showed that two hundred people were killed in reported road accidents in Scotland in 2014, 16 per cent more than in 2013.

Transport Scotland Statisticians released final figures for road casualties reported to the police in Scotland in 2014. The figures show the total number of casualties fell by two per cent between 2013 and 2014 from 11,504 to 11,268, the lowest number since records began.

As well as the increase in fatalities between 2013 and 2014, the number of people seriously injured also increased by two per cent to 1,699.

The figures also show that, in 2014, there were 1,034 child casualties in reported road accidents, a decrease of 3 per cent since 2013. This included seven fatalities, 2 fewer than 2013, and 171 children who were seriously injured, up from 143 in 2013.

There were five fewer pedal cyclists killed than in 2013 but 19 more pedestrian fatalities. There were also seven more motorcyclists killed and four more car user fatalities.

2014 saw a five per cent reduction in car users seriously injured and a small decrease in bus and coach users seriously injured but the other major modes of transport saw increases in the number of people seriously injured; there were five per cent more pedestrians and pedal cyclists seriously injured and a 15 per cent increase in the number of motorcyclists seriously injured between 2013 and 2014.

These statistics provide updates on progress against Scotland’s road safety targets as set out in the Scottish Road Safety Framework. Compared to the 2004-2008 baseline, in 2014 there were:200 fatalities, a reduction of 31 per cent (2015 milestone - 30% reduction; 2020 target - 40% reduction).